“An intuitive way of integrating five functionalities in a Quooker boiling-water tap”

Abstract

This report presents a design proposal for a product innovation for the company Quooker BV.
During this graduation project extensive research has been carried out first in order to find a relevant design direction. Additionally, an internal and external analysis has been carried out. The analysis reveal that Quooker is aiming to introduce a new system which provides two additional functions for the end-user. The two additional functions are the cooled and sparkling water functions next to the existing function (cold, warm and boiled water). Additional, insights into the target group show that the design is perceived as not completely safe by the target group which is one of the main reasons why people do not buy a Quooker product. Also, this is conflicting with core values of Quooker. By keeping the core values of Quooker in mind, which are, providing high-quality, safe and reliable products, the design has been developed.

Accordingly, several concepts have been developed throughout the synthesis phase. The main emphasize was put on interaction aspects since this was related to one of the main criteria set. However, before the actual ideation and conceptualisation, research has been conducted into fundamentals of interaction design. Furthermore, two user test have been carried out. The obtained knowledge is clustered and is presented as ‘interaction design handles’.
Through different iterative steps and the focus on the interaction design handles, a final concept has been proposed called: the Quooker Spark edition.

A prototype of the Quooker Spark has been developed which has been used to validate the product with users in an actual users scenario. Eventually, the following product improvement have been concluded and are also recommended to for Quooker to implement:

Quooker Spark edition
• The proposed design is perceived relative intuitive and safe due to:
1) a clear distinction between safe and unsafe functions,
2) a clear visualisation and sequence of the four functions in the handle,
3) the integration of visual, haptic and tactile aspects,
4) the focus on feedforward rather than on feedback.
• Participants were able to easily understand and explain the interaction to each other.
Furthermore, the proposed design is based on a digital tap and is therefore evaluated to be more in line with future trends. Additionally, the proposed design is also evaluated to be in line with the product portfolio of Quooker. From this perspective, a right balance between a minimalistic design and an intuitive interaction is created.